Nicole Kidman reveals she had to beg for the role that launched her Hollywood career

Nicole Kidman, 49, is one of Hollywood's most established stars but all the fame and money could not have been if she didn't have the courage to go after a job that seemed certain to elude her. Appearing in a video for Variety's Actors On Actors series, she admitted that she fought hard for her role in the 1995 movie To Die For, after she discovered she wasn't the director's first pick. 

'To Die For came along, But no one thought I could do it and I think the studio didn't want me and it sort of went through another bunch of actors,' she explained. She boldly gave the film's director Gus Van Sant a call to beg for the role. 'I said: 'Please, give me the chance! I beg you,'' Nicole explained, adding: 'Because the writing was so strong. Buck Henry.... I mean, come on. Talk about great writing.'

Jungle justice! Two suspected thieves burnt in Anambra state ( Graphic photos)

A mob on Friday set ablaze two suspected armed robbers along Onitsha-Owerri Road, Anambra State. The suspected thieves are said to have been terrorizing residents of Onitsha. See the horrific photos after the cut...

50 Cent says he's not at all surprised at Kanye West's mental breakdown

Appearing on Watch What Happens Live in a segment tagged 50's two cents, the rapper whose real name is Curtis Jackson was asked his opinion on a number of recent showbiz news and he revealed he's not surprised at Kanye West's hospitalization due to mental issues. 'Oof! That was interesting 'cause I kind of like, felt you could kind of see that coming,' he said. 'In pieces, it was like, little outbursts.'

7 people taken hostage by armed man in Paris

Seven people have been taken hostage in a travel agency at the Maddena boulevard, in Paris by an armed man, AFP reports. The French Lexpress said the armed man appears to be an armed robber. Police special forces are at the site, adding that law enforcers have cordoned off the area.

Negotiators have arrived on scene, according to social media and police are telling people to avoid the area.

Moroccan King Leads 300-Member Delegation To Nigeria, Meets Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja met briefly with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who arrived Abuja on Thursday, for a 3-day official visit to Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the king, on arrival at the Presidential Villa at about 1.20p.m. inspected a guard of honour mounted by men of the Guards Brigade.

The Guards Brigade also honoured the visiting King with 21-gun salute.

NAN reports that shortly after the inspection of the guard of honour,  Mr. Buhari and Mohammed  met behind closed doors, before leaving the Presidential Villa for National Mosque to perform the 2-raka’at  Juma’at Prayer.

Photos: Man reportedly collapsed and died during fight with his brother

According to Abia Facts Newspaper, two brothers were fighting yesterday when one collapsed and died. The man wearing a red t-shirt was reportedly beating his brother, when he collapsed. He's pictured lying lifeless on the ground. 

Court orders DSS immediate release of Shi'ite leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzakky, his wife

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court in Abuja today ordered the unconditional release of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Malami Zeenat within 45 days. Delivering judgement in a case filed by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria aka Shiites against the Federal government, Justice Kolawole ordered the Federal government to pay the religious leader and his wife N50m as damages and also build a new accommodation for the family in any part of Kaduna State or the Northern region of their choice.

El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in DSS custody since December 2015 following a clash between his members and the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna state.